Charles Communications Signs Golden Star Tea and Brix Chocolate San Francisco, CA February 2009 - Charles Communications Associates, LLC. announced the addition of two new clients to its diverse portfolio of consumer brands for 2009. Golden Star Tea, and Brix Chocolate have tasked Charles Communications for their public relations efforts for its strategic insight and ability to steer brands to the right media and consumer groups both online and off. "We are extremely excited to be promoting two such tasty and truly unique products outside our mainstream portfolio of wine & spirits," said Kimberly Charles, founder of Charles Communications Associates, LLC.. "Both companies were initiated by imaginative, and forward thinking people and that's a perfect fit for our firm. We appreciate being acknowledged as experts in the field of fine food and beverage." Golden Star Tea is a San Francisco brewer of a unique product: White Jasmine Sparkling Tea. Similar to champagne in its mouth feel and complex character, the White Jasmine offers a drinking experience that is at once familiar and entirely new. With a slight sweetness and a clean acidity, it pairs perfectly with a wide variety of cuisines and is the ideal choice for any refined celebration or affair. For those consumers unwilling to sacrifice sophistication and complexity in their search for a non-alcoholic fine beverage, Golden Star's White Jasmine Sparkling Tea offers a welcome and unique choice. The beverage is available in 730ml bottles at Whole Foods Market, as well as specialty wine shops and restaurants. For more information please visit www.goldenstartea.com. Brix Chocolates were specially developed to pair with wine. Based on single origin chocolate from Ghana, Brix chocolates boast red fruit flavors that won't overwhelm wine. Brix Milk Chocolate is ideally suited for light bodied red wines and dessert wines; while Brix Dark Chocolate is very versatile and pairs well with medium bodied and fruit forward red wines ranging all the way from fuller bodied Pinot Noir to lighter Cabernets. Brix Extra Dark Chocolate is the perfect pair for powerful or tannic red wines. Dr. Nick Proia, a pulmonologist and wine enthusiast, created Brix chocolates after seeking a healthier alternative to pairing wine with cheese. For more information please visit www.brixchocolate.com. About Charles Communications Associates, LLC. Charles Communications Associates, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, CA is an independent creative marketing communications and public relations firm that helps local and global companies, organizations and non-profits create, build and launch a brand. Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the consumer products and wine industry, CCA is also known for success in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, as well as for top shelf spirits and luxury products marketing. The CCA team infuses its work with enthusiasm, originality, and strategy to help clients thrive and grow. Current CCA client roster includes Boisset Family Estates, The Bubble Lounge, Domaine Carneros, JAQK Cellars, Mark West, Parallel Wines, and Volta Wines. For more information please visit www.charlescomm.com. For press inquiries contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates, LLC at kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463. www.charlescomm.com. ###

Great Economic News:  Everything’s Coming Up Pinot for Mark West Winery As They Share News of A 2008 Filled With Increased Sales, Scores and Green Kudos Graton, CA, January 30, 2009…While the economic crisis may be gloom and doom for some, it’s been a boom for wine companies like Mark West Winery, who deliver great quality at a value price. As the dominant player in the Pinot Noir space, the company is proud to share the good news that: 2008 sales increased 45% over prior year December 2008 were 46% greater than prior year Mark West is now the largest selling single SKU of Pinot Noir in the U.S. “Our business proposition has always been to deliver single-varietal, hand-crafted wines at a value price,” shared founder, Derek Benham. “We had great traction going into 2008 which set the stage for us to respond well to the economy driven demands of the savvy consumer looking for a great wine.” No strangers to success, Derek Benham is a veteran of the wine world, who sold his first varietally driven venture, Blackstone Winery to Pacific Wine Partners in October 2001. This success was due to understanding consumer trends and predicting the next one. When he acquired Mark West, he knew the benefits of a focused varietal approach and chose Pinot Noir as his next hot wine.  It certainly didn’t hurt that his efforts coincided with the film Sideways, which brought great attention to the California varietal, putting the relative unknown grape on the map in America. Choosing to work with high-end winemaking genius turned value-driven craftsman Alex Cose (formerly of Peter Michael Winery), was also prophetic for the times. Cose has applied his talents to Mark West, which has raised the wine’s profile and popularity among consumers, restaurateurs and critics alike. One boost to sales in 2008 was the fact that Mark West Pinot Noir was featured in The Wine Trials, a book by Robin Goldstein. In the book, Goldstein challenged sommeliers to blind taste value-driven wines along side their high-end sisters. The 2005 Mark West Pinot Noir beat the old guard hands down – ranking #1 of 52 wines. Not bad for a wine at a remarkable price of around $12 a bottle. Media in the fourth quarter highlighting consumer trends toward purchasing wines under $15, combined with the fact that the economic woes hit right before the holidays proved to be another boost for Mark West in 2008.  The holidays traditionally are a time when Pinot Noir sales are at their peak since the wine pairs so well with turkey, salmon, lamb and other favorites. Consumers flocked to Mark West to share a popular, affordable and trusted brand at the holiday dinner table. In addition to the perfect storm of varietal foresight, craftsmanship, and an economy that drove consumers into the value-priced market place, Mark West scored points as it hit its stride in 2008 on the green frontier, gaining recognition for its energy efficient, water-conserving, eco-conscious winemaking facility in Graton.  The facility, which works under the name of Sonoma Wine Company, was recognized by the EPA and became an accredited Sonoma County Green Business in 2008. For more information on Mark West wines and the people behind them, contact Kimberly Charles or Kendall Johnson, Charles Communications Associates,  press@charlescomm.com or  415.701.9463. ###

Move Over Cheese Brix Chocolate Introduces the First Wine Friendly Chocolate As an Alternative to Cheese San Francisco, CA (January 22, 2009) - Brix Chocolate, the first chocolate designed specifically to complement wine, made its national debut at the highly-anticipated 2009 Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, CA.  Brix Chocolate, the only specific "chocolate for wine" was created by Dr. Nick Proia, a practicing pulmonologist and a Professor of Medicine at Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine, after realizing that cheese, the traditional accompaniment to a glass of wine, counteracts wine's unique health benefits. Both red wine and chocolate boast anti-oxidant benefits lowering blood pressure and reducing risk of heart disease, whereas cheese on the other hand, has high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, both of which can lead to increased risk of heart disease. Dr. Prioa was determined to find a better partner to pair with his glass of red wine. Unable to find a chocolate on the market that complemented wine, Dr. Proia developed Brix, his own line of chocolates specifically designed to enjoy with wine. Brix uses only single origin chocolates from Ghana as the base for their chocolates, blending its rich red fruit flavors with Belgian confectionary chocolate to achieve a final product that won't overwhelm the nuances of finer wines. After rigorous testing of over thirty single origin chocolates and various blends in 5% increments 15 potential formulas were developed. From there the fifteen original samples were honed down to just three blends, all of which chosen unanimously from the test groups as the best wine partners. Each of the three different blends of chocolate (milk, dark, and extra dark) were designed to complement different varietals and styles of wine. Brix Milk Chocolate has a higher cocoa content (40%) than most milk chocolates on the market and an almost spicy flavor. It pairs well with light bodied reds like Pinot Noir and with dessert wines. Brix Extra Dark was developed to pair with powerful tannic red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Barolo. Brix Dark is the most versatile and complements fruit forward red wines including: Merlot and Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache as well as Zinfandel. With Valentine's Day less than a month away, the national product launch offers a timely and sophisticated twist on the traditional sweetheart offering of wine and chocolate. Brix takes it name from a term in the wine industry used to measure the sugar content of grapes, a gauge often used to determine ripeness at harvest time. It also provides inspiration for the shape of the Brix "brick" specially designed to be broken into large, rough pieces whose flavors explode faster in the mouth than a uniformly smooth piece, creating a more intense burst of flavor. These large bricks lend themselves well to creating a hands-on communal experience to be enjoyed by many as each brick is large enough to share with up to fifteen people making the act of breaking the chocolate as elemental as the act of breaking bread. Serving Brix chocolate with wine creates an interactive and social dessert and wine experience for exploration and enjoyment. Products: Brix Milk Chocolate Brix Dark Chocolate Brix Extra Dark Chocolate Availability: Brix Chocolate can be found online at www.brixchocolate.com, at Cost Plus World Market and Kings Supermarket. ABOUT BRIX Brix chocolates were specially developed to pair with chocolate. Based on single origin chocolate from Ghana, Brix chocolates boast red fruit flavors that won't overwhelm wine. Brix Milk Chocolate is ideally suited for light bodied red wines and dessert wines; while Brix Dark Chocolate is very versatile and pairs well with medium bodied and fruit forward red wines ranging all the way from fuller bodied Pinot Noir to lighter Cabernets. Brix Extra Dark Chocolate is the perfect pair for powerful or tannic red wines. Dr. Nick Proia, a pulmonologist and wine enthusiast, created Brix chocolates after seeking a healthier alternative to pairing wine with cheese. For more information please visit www.brixchocolate.com. For more information, photos or to request media samples please contact Kendall Johnson, Charles Communications Associates at kendall@charlescomm.com or call 415-701-9463. ###

Wente Vineyards Key Facts

The partners of Parallel Wines – ski buddies for the past twenty years – are excited to introduce their new wine, just in time for the height of the ski season and the Olympics. Fine wine and skiing have always been a great match for après ski. That dynamic combination has truly come to life with the launch of Parallel Wines (www.parallelwines.com). Named for the parallels between the wine and the ski worlds and the classic dual lines cut by skis on the first run of the day, Parallel Wine is a new Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with a distinctive ski track design on its label. Crafted by top winemaker Philippe Melka, recently named the 2005 Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine magazine, in collaboration with highly acclaimed vineyard manager, Jim Barbour, Parallel Wine was conceived by a eight close friends from Park City. “We all met skiing twenty years ago and have shared many glasses of wine, so it’s fitting that Parallel Wines celebrate what brought us together,” shares Mac MacQuoid, one of the Parallel Wine partners. “People who love skiing love a great glass of wine. After a special day on the slopes, we want friends to gather around a fire and enjoy a glass of Parallel while they cheer on the USA in Torino.” The premiere release of the wine, Parallel 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley. is a blend of grapes from Howell Mountain and Calistoga in Napa Valley. It’s priced at $44 per 750 ml bottle, marking it the first time that Melka and Barbour – generally known for their higher priced offerings - have collaborated on a wine that is both affordable and available to the general public. It is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot and is a wine with deep color that exhibits a beautiful bouquet of black currants, blackberries, dried herbs, smoke, vanilla and Asian spices. The mouthfeel is generous and packed with ripe flavors of rich cherry jam and black fruits. It finishes with dense tannins, and a wonderful licorice character. According to Melka, “This wine is distinctive and reflects a sense of harmony and sophistication.” The first release of Parallel is currently sold in ski area wine shops and restaurants in the Intermountain West and in California and New Jersey/New York. It is available online for shipment where legal at www.parallelwines.com. For more information on Parallel, visit www.parallelwines.com. Editors contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at (415) 701 9463 or kcharles@charlescomm.com. Photos are available upon request. # # #

  Forward Thinking with “LoCA Thoughts” The Lodi Winegrape Commission’s “LoCA Thoughts” web videos aim to educate and entertain curious wine lovers   Lodi, CA – ‘Here’s a LoCA thought!’ has become a familiar catch phrase in Lodi, California and beyond, thanks to the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s popular video series, “LoCA Thoughts”. The web series features charismatic local wine grower Ben Kolber, who playfully demystifies wine while providing wine lovers with creative pairings and fun, down-to-earth solutions to some of the most common wine-related questions. The series speaks to the diversity of the grape varieties in Lodi’s wine region as well as the varied preferences of its consumers’ palates.   Kolber tells viewers to trust their instincts when tasting and purchasing wine, and not to be too influenced or intimidated by more practiced wine aficionados. “Even experts make mistakes now and again,” says Kolber. “So here’s a ‘LoCA thought’ - see what pleases your palate, not somebody else’s.”   Kolber’s disarming persona illustrates the Lodi region’s mission to educate budding wine enthusiasts in an entertaining and engaging way. The clips are easy to digest for busy oenophiles and casual consumers alike, spanning from 30 seconds to one minute. Recent videos include paella pairings, perfect wines for tailgating aka “wine gating,” and a lesson on how to distinguish aromas and flavors in a wine.   Kolber is the owner of KG Vineyard Management, which is Certified Green under the Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing - California’s first 3rd party-certified sustainable winegrowing program. A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Kolber is an avid musician and a busy father to three young children.   “LoCA Thoughts” videos can be viewed at http://www.lodiwine.com/locathoughts/.   About Lodi Wine Country   Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Lodi wine region features over 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings. With more than 75 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long known as a superior producer of Zinfandel, including an estimated 2,000 acres of pre-Prohibition own rooted vines, the area also produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay. More recently, Lodi has begun producing varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others. Lodi has been a major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s, and today is farmed by over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 80 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.  In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions in sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which implements green-farming practices. For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com. For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional information regarding the Lodi Winegrape Commission, please contact Executive Director, Camron King, at 209|327-4727 or camron@lodiwine.com.   ###